# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=643 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 644 --- ## [AGW informing policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agw-informing-policy/444510)
**Author:** [@Eben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eben)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agw-informing-policy/444510 "2008-04-11T23:34:05Z")
Hello everyone. I’ve been reading through the AGW debates here and I really like that there are well reasoned folks on both sides of the issue. I haven’t seen that anywhere else yet and I feel it’s important. In one p… --- ## [Petraeus-Crocker hearings: Tell 'em, Senator Feingold!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/petraeus-crocker-hearings-tell-em-senator-feingold/444624)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/petraeus-crocker-hearings-tell-em-senator-feingold/444624 "2008-04-11T21:33:24Z")
In yesterday’s Senate hearings, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker made their case for an unspecified further number of Friedman units to give the Surge a chance to work. McCain played the expected role of cheerlea… --- ## [What's causing the food crisis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-causing-the-food-crisis/444890)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-causing-the-food-crisis/444890 "2008-04-11T19:58:57Z")
Food prices are rising worldwide. They’re rioting in Haiti. Also in much of West Africa. British PM Brown puts the blame on biofuels production. So does the head of the World Bank. Is that the whole answer? Anythin… --- ## [Ticking Bomb Scenario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ticking-bomb-scenario/443662)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ticking-bomb-scenario/443662 "2008-04-11T14:11:53Z")
(I am really looking for a factual answer, but the question is sort of hot.) Some People say that it is OK to put a prisoner’s lips in a food processor if he has information about a ticking bomb that will go off in the… --- ## [Is It Likely That a Cancer Cure Will Be a "Magic Bullet"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-likely-that-a-cancer-cure-will-be-a-magic-bullet/444824)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-likely-that-a-cancer-cure-will-be-a-magic-bullet/444824 "2008-04-11T14:06:23Z")
Meaning: is there some characteristic of all cancers, that makes it likely that a single treament would cure it? As I understand it, cancerous cells divide much faster than normal cells. Suppose we find a substance that… --- ## [lekatt's "Great Debate"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lekatts-great-debate/250654)
**Author:** [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lekatts-great-debate/250654 "2008-04-11T01:58:40Z")
Quite a few interesting threads have been sidetracked recently by lekatt’s constant references to Near Death Experiences (which he calls veridical, ie. “truthful or coinciding with reality”). I have opened this thread in… --- ## [Dick Cheney to get SS protection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dick-cheney-to-get-ss-protection/444451)
**Author:** [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dick-cheney-to-get-ss-protection/444451 "2008-04-11T00:44:49Z")
Not that SS, although he’d fit in. Vice Presidents do not get Secret Service protection after they’re out of office but this is going to happen by decree from Bush. I think he should have to bear the cost himself, his … --- ## [UK Scientists: 'No Sun link' to climate change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-scientists-no-sun-link-to-climate-change/443766)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-scientists-no-sun-link-to-climate-change/443766 "2008-04-10T23:29:03Z")
From this BBC article: Of course a lot of climate change skeptics are going to ignore what mainstream scientists say, but a lot of the recent research seems pretty decisive that the significant component of climate cha… --- ## [Explain Wonkette to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-wonkette-to-me/444792)
**Author:** [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-wonkette-to-me/444792 "2008-04-10T20:13:52Z")
I thought about where to put this, but since the blog is ostensibly political and the example I’ve chosen is political, I put it here. Please move if another place would be more appropriate. So, I’ve been reading wonke… --- ## [Campaign as microcosm for Presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-as-microcosm-for-presidency/444698)
**Author:** [@Anomalous\_Reading](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anomalous_Reading)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-as-microcosm-for-presidency/444698 "2008-04-10T18:15:07Z")
One of the new critiques emerging (again) is that the way a person runs a campaign is a telling model for how well they will run the Presidency. That due to the size, degree of delegation and busy-ness, this is as close… --- ## ["You can have your Tiger Woods. We've got Senator mcCain!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-your-tiger-woods-weve-got-senator-mccain/444563)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-your-tiger-woods-weve-got-senator-mccain/444563 "2008-04-10T17:59:31Z")
The line in the thread title was spoken by somebody named David Bellavia who was introducing McCain at a small rally of pro-Iraq veterans today. Keith Olbermann and some folks on the internets think Bellavia had some kin… --- ## [Obama was the 41st most liberal senator in 2007](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-was-the-41st-most-liberal-senator-in-2007/444772)
**Author:** [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-was-the-41st-most-liberal-senator-in-2007/444772 "2008-04-10T17:36:13Z")
So says this chart, anyway. The ratings given to each senator by seven progressive or progressive-leaning groups (the ACLU, the SEIU, NARAL) were taken and aggregated, and the senators were ranked by mean percentage. H… --- ## [Aliens...why do so many just assume?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aliens-why-do-so-many-just-assume/444384)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aliens-why-do-so-many-just-assume/444384 "2008-04-10T08:32:15Z")
Sparked by this thread: It seems that everyone just assumes the universe is teeming with intelligent life. They make statements that there are so many stars and galaxies and so on that there must be many civilization… --- ## [Public School in Minnesota teaching religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-school-in-minnesota-teaching-religion/444675)
**Author:** [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-school-in-minnesota-teaching-religion/444675 "2008-04-10T03:57:03Z")
I thought that a public school that is funded by tax payers is not allowed to have religious endeavours…sounds like mandatory prayer and other religious studies is going on in this public charter school. I don’t under… --- ## [The Wire's War on the Drug War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wires-war-on-the-drug-war/442749)
**Author:** [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wires-war-on-the-drug-war/442749 "2008-04-10T01:23:12Z")
The writers of The Wire have suggested a way to fight the War On Drugs: I agree with this idea, and will join their civil disobedience should I find myself on such a jury. But I recognize that I’m a bit of a pro-drug … --- ## [The extinction of air travel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extinction-of-air-travel/444388)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extinction-of-air-travel/444388 "2008-04-10T00:37:04Z")
This OP was inspired by a single quote from an ABC news story I saw early this morning. Thus, I can’t tell you much about it, or its context (which, thanks to editing, I don’t know anyway), or even who said it. But it … --- ## [America is unraveling #3, No common ground](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-is-unraveling-3-no-common-ground/444483)
**Author:** [@focusonz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/focusonz)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-is-unraveling-3-no-common-ground/444483 "2008-04-09T22:35:58Z")
Here are the salient issues which have arisen in last 12 years: 1.The enormity of national debt staggers the mind. $12 trillion now, double of 1996. 2.Mass migration from California is on going 3.The Dot com bubble bu… --- ## [Should Fundamentalist Mormon polygamists be more aggressively prosecuted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fundamentalist-mormon-polygamists-be-more-aggressively-prosecuted/272268)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fundamentalist-mormon-polygamists-be-more-aggressively-prosecuted/272268 "2008-04-09T22:03:49Z")
This month’s issue of Details (a magazine not known for its hard hitting investigative journalism) features an article on “The Lost Boys” (no link available but it’s on page 177 and can be read in line at the grocery sto… --- ## [Trite SDMB arguments and John McCain.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trite-sdmb-arguments-and-john-mccain/444374)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trite-sdmb-arguments-and-john-mccain/444374 "2008-04-09T18:33:08Z")
Heaven knows this place is full of repeated bad arguments, but in the last few years a couple have risen over and over again like belches on Taco Bell night. The first is that certain people, by virtue of having avoided… --- ## [Let's discuss Obama quitting.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-obama-quitting/444418)
**Author:** [@aptronym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aptronym)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-obama-quitting/444418 "2008-04-09T14:25:29Z")
Okay, for starters, I’m a big Obama fan, and I’d vote McCain over Clinton, so I’m serious when I’m just asking “what if”. What if Obama quit this race, accepted Clinton’s offer of the Vice-Presidency, and planned to run… --- ## [Hillary/McCain supporters: What do you think of Obama's performance so far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-mccain-supporters-what-do-you-think-of-obamas-performance-so-far/443745)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2008, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-mccain-supporters-what-do-you-think-of-obamas-performance-so-far/443745 "2008-04-09T07:05:19Z")
Disclaimer: I am pro-Obama but I’ll admit that Either Clinton or McCain might do a better job if they are elected. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. Some might think of his performance as a prez candidate starte… --- ## [76 percent say U.S. ready for black president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/76-percent-say-u-s-ready-for-black-president/444261)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/76-percent-say-u-s-ready-for-black-president/444261 "2008-04-08T18:57:45Z")
Now THAT’S what I’m talking about! It’s about damn time these people do the right thing. “Some of the rise can be attributed to the success of Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential primaries, said Keating Ho… --- ## [Is evolution enough to explain he diversity of life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evolution-enough-to-explain-he-diversity-of-life/444003)
**Author:** [@Dertulm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dertulm)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evolution-enough-to-explain-he-diversity-of-life/444003 "2008-04-08T18:31:30Z")
Evolutionary theory inevitably requires large amounts of time, since the whole idea is that many small changes, when added together, result in very large changes, and the small changes have to happen sequentially, and ea… --- ## [A Response to Anti-ACLU Sentiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-response-to-anti-aclu-sentiment/444246)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-response-to-anti-aclu-sentiment/444246 "2008-04-08T17:37:35Z")
In this thread (which I didn’t want to hijack), ralph124c and ExTank et al. express a common right-wing anti-ACLU viewpoint. I think this viewpoint comes from a lack of knowledge, which is why this in GD and not the Pi… --- ## [ACLU Lawsuit Alleges Prison Mealtime Violates Muslim Inmates' Freedom of Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aclu-lawsuit-alleges-prison-mealtime-violates-muslim-inmates-freedom-of-religion/444208)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aclu-lawsuit-alleges-prison-mealtime-violates-muslim-inmates-freedom-of-religion/444208 "2008-04-08T14:51:22Z")
Is this lawsuit relevant? Are prisoners allowed the same civil rights as civilians? Since this does not effect us personally, do we have any reason to be against such a lawsuit? Should these Muslim prisoners automatic… --- ## ["There is No Gas Shortage"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-gas-shortage/444160)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2008, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-gas-shortage/444160 "2008-04-08T12:40:41Z")
So says this Business Week opinion column that, as far as I can tell, lays high gas prices squarely and almost solely at the feet of oil company profiteering. What do you think of his arguments? They strike me as too s… --- ## [Muqtada al-Sadr shows his strength, calls cease-fire -- what now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muqtada-al-sadr-shows-his-strength-calls-cease-fire-what-now/443381)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2008, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muqtada-al-sadr-shows-his-strength-calls-cease-fire-what-now/443381 "2008-04-08T10:17:52Z")
Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered his Mahdi Army to cease hostilities. (Pockets of fighting continue regardless.) That’s good news, I suppose, but the events of the past week show al-Sadr is still an important player; and th… --- ## [Booing the President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booing-the-president/443393)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booing-the-president/443393 "2008-04-08T00:00:42Z")
President Bush was booed loudly at the Washington Nationals game last night when he threw out the first pitch. Should people boo the president at these types of events? He is actually in his role of Chief of State. Whil… --- ## [How do people become (and stay) so ignorant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-become-and-stay-so-ignorant/443441)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-become-and-stay-so-ignorant/443441 "2008-04-07T23:34:43Z")
I’m routinely amazed at the ignorance that surrounds me, both in my actual, face-to-face life and on the internet. I mean, I hear people in one breath talk about how Wal-Mart is great because they “provide low prices; w… --- ## [It's time for the Democrats to send a clear message to the Republicans!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-the-democrats-to-send-a-clear-message-to-the-republicans/444073)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-the-democrats-to-send-a-clear-message-to-the-republicans/444073 "2008-04-07T22:41:45Z")
This article in the Boston Globe reflects a growing feeling among some loyal democrats. This from a Clinton Supporter. I have been thinking for a while that the time has come to send a real clear message from the demo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=642) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=644)